OFFICE OF AEROSPACE STUDIES ANALYSIS HANDBOOK - A GUIDE FOR PERFORMING ANALYSIS STUDIES: FOR ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES (AOA) OR FUNCTIONAL SOLUTION ANALYSES (JUL-2004)

OFFICE OF AEROSPACE STUDIES ANALYSIS HANDBOOK - A GUIDE FOR PERFORMING ANALYSIS STUDIES: FOR ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES (AOA) OR FUNCTIONAL SOLUTION ANALYSES (JUL-2004)., The Office of Aerospace Studies (OAS) provides technical, analytical, and costing support to the operational commands, Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) and the Air Staff in planning, conducting, and reviewing Analysis of Alternatives (AoAs), and related studies supporting acquisition decisions. In addition, we support the MAJCOMs and AFMC product centers with analytical investigations and evaluations of systems and related issues. The Analysis Handbook is produced by the Air Force Materiel Command’s Office of Aerospace Studies (OAS). OAS is designated the Air Force Center of Expertise for AoAs. This handbook embodies Air Force’s current guidance for planning and executing Air Force and Air Force-led AoAs within the Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition process. The DoD acquisition process is a structured, logical approach designed to identify and acquire the best systems necessary to support the needs and capability requirements of the operational warfighter. In cases where there are known or identified shortfalls in operational capabilities, the acquisition community will look to new acquisitions that can eliminate the shortfalls at the earliest possible date. There are three milestones and a number of other decision points within the DoD systems acquisition process. At any of the milestones or decision points, a new system can be initiated, continued, revised or cancelled. The acquisition process involves a number of acquisition phases following the milestones and/or decision points in which the development of the program proceeds. AoAs are an important element of the defense acquisition process and as such, the DoD is demonstrating increased involvement and oversight in AoA activities. In the Air Force, the AoA has taken on an increasingly important role in determining whether or not a system should be procured and if so, what would be the nature of the technologies and capabilities available for acquisition. Air Force AoAs must not only make a case for having identified the most cost-effective alternative(s), they must also make a compelling statement about the capabilities and military utility that acquiring the most cost-effective alternative(s) will provide. In short, the AoA has become an important vehicle to provide information that can be used by senior Air Force leaders to debate and assess a potential program\'s capability and affordability. An AoA is an analytical comparison of the operational effectiveness and cost of proposed materiel solutions to shortfalls in operational capability (these capability shortfalls are also known as mission needs). AoAs document the rationale for identifying and recommending a preferred solution or solutions to the identified shortfalls. Threat changes, deficiencies, advances in technology or the obsolescence of existing systems can trigger an AoA. This handbook deals with Air Force-specific AoAs and those Joint AoAs where the Air Force is designated as the lead service. The current DoD Acquisition process identifies OSD/Program Analysis and Evaluation’s (PA&E’s) role in the AoA process. Their role will be addressed further in the next chapter. Likewise, the Joint Staff has a defined role through the Functional Control Board review of Initial Capabilities Documents (ICDs). Other services have their own processes for executing AoAs. When the Air Force is directed to support an AoA led by a sister service, the Air Force will follow the lead service’s procedures and guidance. The Air Forces direct involvement in the lead service’s process will ensure that Air Force interests are considered and addressed in the AoA. Likewise, for AoAs where the Air Force is identified as the lead service, it is imperative that the Air Force openly support and defend the supporting service’s issues and concerns. When directed, AoAs are normally required and tasked as part of the acquisition process for identified programs. For other programs, AoAs may be downward directed because they are Joint, Service, or Command special interest or have congressional visibility.